Mutational analysis of binding protein–chemoreceptor interactions

Abstract

Interactions between ligands and chemoreceptors in Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica can be studied through genetic manipulation of the actors involved. Sequence analysis and modeling can reveal potential sites of interaction, and these sites can be deleted or mutated and the effects tested through various in vivo chemotaxis assays to ascertain their importance during interaction. Here, the approach for analysis of the interaction between a major E. coli chemoreceptor and its binding protein ligand is described.